Ethics Classes should start in 2011

NEWS RELEASE

19 October, 2010

ETHICS CLASSES SHOULD START IN 2011

Ethics classes should be immediately approved for all public primary schools in NSW according to parents4ethics, a parent body which wants the state government to urgently adopt the recommendations of a report by an independent assessor.

parents4ethics spokesperson David Hill, former managing director of the ABC and a parent at Randwick Public School, says the evaluation by Dr Sue Knight of the University of SA, validates the recent trial of ethics classes conducted in ten NSW public primary schools.

He says the evaluation confirms that secular ethics and special religious education classes can exist side by side and also says the model used in the recent trial is viable for implementation in NSW government schools.

“We commend the government for listening to the parents of NSW and conducting a comprehensive trial of the ethics classes. The government now has no choice but to take the final step and allow ethics the classes to be available in primary schools from the start of the new school year. Only when they do this can it be considered that all students are treated equally in our schools.“

parents4ethics also welcome’s the Education Minister’s comments that “parents who choose not to send their children to scripture classes have a right to see their children engaged in some type of meaningful activity”, and wholeheartedly agree that this is a “positive report”.

parents4ethics applauds the recommendation that a brief summary of the aims and processes of both Special Religious Education and ethics classes be provided to parents in fact sheets to assist their decision-making process.

The tens of thousands of students who currently opt out of special religious education classes are generally left to watch videos, colour-in or read. As a result of a submission by the NSW Parents and Citizens’ Federation and St James Ethics Centre, the government followed a rigorous process of consultation before commencing the trial.

The St James Ethics Centre developed the pilot program and the Department of Education commissioned the independent assessment of the trial by Dr Knight, an independent expert in ethics and philosophy.

Endorsed by P&Cs

P&Cs across NSW have formally endorsed ethics classes. Of the 90-plus P&Cs who have so far put the classes to an official vote, 100 percent have returned either unanimous or overwhelming support.

Tara Thomas, a founding member of parents4ethics and a parent at Rose Bay Public School says “the support last term from P&Cs across the state, is testament that there is a very vocal minority opposing ethics, and the majority of parents, both of faith and of no faith are in support of the classes”.
Julie Wilks a parent from Roseville Public School says: “As a P&C parent, I voted to allow ethics classes to operate as an option to scripture. “This time is not “owned” by churches – it is owned by the Department of Education, and as such, they should engage and respect the needs of all students, not just those of a particular religious persuasion. I want a real choice for my child and as a parent I demand it now.”

parents4ethics emphasises that it has not called for SRE classes to be abolished, but wants a worthwhile secular alternative for those children who opt not to attend.

Interview contacts :
David Hill, Spokesman parents4ethics : 9399 9902 or 0412 197 375

Tara Thomas, parents4ethics & parent at Rose Bay PS : 0417 457 048

Catherine Suttle, parents4ethics & parent at Randwick PS (Ethics trial school) : 9385 4380

Julie Wilks, parents4ethics & parent at Roseville PS : 0434 531 311

Sarah Flynn, parents4ethics & parent at Baulkham Hills North PS (Ethics trial school) : 0425 275 326

Susan Terravecchia, parents4ethics & parent at Summer Hill PS : 0411 738 445

Paul Williams, parents4ethics Byron Bay Region & parent The Pocket PS : 0421 054 525

Phil McDonnell, Batemans Bay PS :
4478 7777

Please contact Tara Thomas 0417 457 048 or contact@parents4ethics.org
with any other questions or if you would like to talk to a parent from your local area.
We have a database of parents happy to talk to the media.